Peter Corry guest at concert

The choir, under conductor Gordon Speers (accompanist Lynn Beggs), won the overall choral prize at Portadown Music Festival a fortnight ago, and retained that fine singing form at Bangor International Festival and in Cork last weekend.

Northern Ireland iconic singer Peter Corry is the special guest – the second time he has guested with the choir. The first was 15 years ago at their Golden Anniversary and he is delighted to be back.

He has been in concert in countries throughout Europe (the UK, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Cyprus, Spain and Latvia are among them) as well as China, America and Bermuda.

He appeared in the West End as Inspector Javert in ‘Les Miserables’ and has starred in shows like ‘Sweeney Todd’, ‘Oliver’ (as Fagin), ‘The Last 5 Years’ and most recently as Ignati in the opera ‘The Crocodile’.

The compere on Thursday night is the incomparable Gene Fitzpatrick – a great favourite in Portadown – and a full house is anticipated.

Tickets (priced £15) are available from Winnie’s Newsagents of Woodhouse Street, Portadown, from choir members, or patrons can pay at the door on the night.

The choir will be drawing from their wide repertoire and the event is a ‘must’ for lovers of good choral music. They will include ‘On Wings of Song’ (which they sang at their first concert in 1952), ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘The Rose’ and ‘Didn’t It Rain’.